distinct, one being placed above the other on the same fila- 
ment, or each filament bears two one-celled Amnthers; 
and upon this ground, Linnaus established his genus 
Diantuera. But, it has been found, that. this separation 
of the cells of the anthers takes place so very partially, that 
it is not in many cases possible to draw the line, on which 
account both genera have been again united. Jussrev, in 
the 9th volume of the Annéles du Muséum, has divided 
this too extensive genus, from the different form and mode 
of bursting of the capsules; by which he separated a 
portion of the species under the name of Dicrrerera, which 
division has been adopted by Roemer and Scuutres in 
their Systema Vegetabilium. The very great number of the 
species certainly makes a division much wanted; but it 
would be desirable that characters should be found in some 
measure independent of the capsules, as these are so rarely. 
perfected by plants under cultivation. 7 
The species here figured has been generally known by — 
the name of americana ; but, as there are other North- 
American species, and Micuaux’s name of pedunculosa has — 
been adopted by Pours and Nurraxt, and by the authors 
of the new Systema Vegetabilium, we have thought it 
better to use one so appropriate, than one not exclusively 
applicable. _ - 
Except Piuxener’s figure, no representation of this spe- 
cies has been before published. 
Native of North America, growing in bays and slow- 
flowing waters of the rivers St. Laurence, Oswego, Ohio, — 
Kenhaway, &c. When once established in standing water, — 
increases freely by its creeping roots, and resists our | 
winters very well ; being in its native climate subjected to 
much severer cold. No other species in the whole genus — 
has been hitherto cultivated in this country in open air. 
_ Our drawing was made from specimens communicated — 
by Mr. Rosert Brown, from Lady Banxs’s garden a — 
Spring-Grove, where it has been long cultivated. ae 
The separate figures represent, 
1. The Corolla. — 2. The Calyx. 
